Bolton Wanderers 6-0 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland suffered heavy defeat on Saturday afternoon at the hands of Bolton Wanderers, as the Lancashire side hit six at the University of Bolton Stadium in front of a sold-out away end.
Dion Charles struck in both halves for Ian Evatt’s side, along with goals from Dapo Afolayan, Kieran Lee, Declan John and an own goal.
Lee Johnson elected to begin with a back four, with Danny Batth partnering Callum Doyle at centre-half whilst Carl Winchester and Dennis Cirkin operated as the full-backs.
Leon Dajaku, Elliot Embleton and skipper Corry Evans were also among those named in the starting XI, as new arrivals Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke took places on the bench for the first time.
An even start in blustery conditions saw no major goalmouth action – that until Bolton stepped it up a gear 19 minutes in, and took the lead in direct circumstances.
A long punt upfield from goalkeeper James Trafford became a pinpoint pass as it cut through the Lads’ rear guard, releasing Charles to lift the ball into the net over the advancing Thorben Hoffmann.
The hosts remained in the ascendancy throughout the first half, spurning chances through both Lee from 10 yards and Afolayan from the edge of the area, before a neat move then did make it two.
A combination emanating from the right flank saw Charles find Lee, who in turn laid off the well-placed Afolayan to guide the ball into the bottom corner – a hammer blow shortly before half-time for the Lads.
After the break, it was only to get worse, as Bolton added a quick third through Charles once more, who finished on the turn after receiving Afolayan’s pass.
And it was four just before the hour, as Lee steered a close-range finish into the corner.
Roberts and Clarke along with Alex Pritchard entered the fray during the second half as Sunderland looked to reduce the deficit, Clarke denied a debut goal from inside the area as Trafford thwarted his effort.
Bolton continued to sporadically come forward, albeit with less intensity having sealed the result, and substitute Bakayoko came close to diverting in a fifth.
But he was to contribute to just that with five minutes to play, a left-sided cross finding its way into the net off Batth's attempted clearance.
John then made it six late on with a left-footed strike to cap a dismal afternoon.
The Lads must now regroup over the next week ahead of Doncaster Rovers’ visit to the Stadium of Light in seven days’ time.
SUNDERLAND AFC: Hoffmann; Winchester, Batth, Doyle, Cirkin (Pritchard 53’); Evans ©, Neil (Clarke 53’); Dajaku (Roberts 66’), Embleton, Gooch; Stewart.
Subs not used: Patterson, Flanagan, O’Brien, Hume.
Bolton Wanderers: Trafford, Jones, Santos, Johnston, Fossey, Williams, Lee (Sadlier 72’), John, Morley, Charles (Bakayoko 72’), Afolayan (Bodvarsson 72’).
Subs not used: Dixon, Aimson, Baptiste, Thomason.
Attendance: 20,015